{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/d556eb54-6160-4c85-95f4-47d9f5216c49/69de0e423472e03bc7365d7c?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Shipping forecast: will America’s blockade work?","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/62e286a934d4d93d6587424a/1776160056874-33265507-f737-47c5-91ad-13f03cbc9730.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>After the failure of talks at the weekend, America is now <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/04/13/donald-trumps-blockade-of-hormuz-is-a-dangerous-gamble?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">stopping all ships</a> from using Iranian ports and coastal areas. Our correspondent analyses the rationale. <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/04/09/burkina-fasos-government-is-committing-war-crimes?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Burkina Faso</a>’s government is committing war crimes. And which type of <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/03/19/which-is-the-best-sparkling-water?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">fizzy water</a> tastes best?</p><p>Vote for “The Economist” in the Webby Awards: “<a href=\"https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/podcasts/individual-episode/history\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The Last Boat</a>” podcast and Lane Greene on <a href=\"https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/video-film/series-channels/animation\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">languages</a></p><p><br></p><p>Guests and host:</p><ul><li>Shashank Joshi, defence editor</li><li>Tom Gardner, Africa correspondent</li><li>Jon Fasman, senior culture writer</li><li>Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”</li><li>Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Topics covered:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>America, Iran, blockade, Strait of Hormuz, oil</li><li>Burkina Faso, Sahel, jihad, Ibrahim Traoré</li><li>Sparkling water, fizzy drinks, alcohol</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><em>Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—</em><a href=\"https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+</em></a></p><p><br></p><p><em>For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our </em><a href=\"https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>FAQs page</em></a><em> or watch </em><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>our video</em></a><em> explaining how to link your account.</em></p>","author_name":"The Economist"}